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News Release

OPM Director Cuts The Ribbon On Agency's Newly Renovated Health Unit

Director Berry and GSA Acting Administrator welcomed federal employees into one of the largest health units within a federal agency.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On January 14, 2010, U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director John Berry along with General Service Administration (GSA) Acting Administrator Stephen Leeds cut the ribbon to officially open the agency's completely renovated health unit. This is part of Director Berry's ongoing effort to create a model Work-Life "campus" that will showcase what the Federal Government can do to improve the wellness, morale and productivity of Federal employees.

Three federal agencies, OPM, GSA and the Department of the Interior (DOI), combined forces in July 2009 to create a Work-Life campus that includes approximately 5,000 feds. The OPM health unit is one of the largest units within a federal agency, providing services such as blood pressure screenings, Influenza and H1N1 vaccinations, body mass index measurement, health education andblood glucose screenings.

"Helping our employees get well and stay well makes sense. By boosting productivity and morale, workplace wellness programs help us provide better service to the taxpayers," said Director Berry. "The renovation of the health unit marks the beginning of an exciting and important initiative on workplace wellness that will start with the campus pilot, expand to our field employees and set the foundation for government-wide improvements."

The campus approach will allow the three agencies to share staff and facilities, making the most efficient use of scarce resources.

"To support the President's commitment to wellness, the Office of Personnel Management, the General Services Administration, and the Department of Interior's joint federal campus will provide federal employees easy access to facilities that will promote healthier living," said GSA Acting Administrator Stephen R. Leeds. "The wellness of our federal employees who work on behalf of the American people is a top priority. OPM's health unit combined with GSA's work to provide healthier and more sustainable food options will help to provide a better workplace experience."

This is the first step of many OPM, GSA, USDA and other federal agencies are taking to improve the health of federal workers and lower the cost of health care. Other measures include improving the nutritional content of food served in cafeterias in federal buildings, raising the nutritional awareness of federal workers by requiring food labeling and featuring healthier foods more prominently in cafeterias, improving the nutritional value of food provided in vending machines, and promoting improved access to fitness facilities and other health and wellness services at the worksite.

"The two-month renovation project resulted in an updated, bright, refreshing environment that welcomes employees in need of assistance," said Group Manager in OPM's Employee Services Division Janet Smith.

All services are free of charge to OPM employees and services will be extended to GSA and DOI employees in late spring.

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Our mission is to Recruit, Retain and Honor a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.